Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 edition. Excerpt: ...is uncertain) engaged in hurling a pot full of snakes on her opponent. But the figure which most appeals to us is perhaps that of the Earth-mother Gaia, who is seen emerging from the ground and appealing passionately to Athena to preserve her offspring.1 The number of deities engaged in the strife is almost endless, yet nearly every one can be distinguished by attributes or other motives, while in the case of the giants we find almost the same variety of form; some are merely gigantic human beings, but others are veritable monsters, with wings, and legs terminating in serpents, or even half human, half lions. The altar was probably erected between 180 and 170 B.c., but the names of the artists are unknown, though they were undoubtedly inscribed on the monument. In this respect we are more fortunate when we come to treat of the Rhodian school, which has left several individual names. The Rhodian school of sculpture was largely influenced by Lysippos, who re-introduced the making of colossal figures, and whose pupil Chares attained to distinction as the artist of the world-famed Colossus of Rhodes; he was a native of Lindos in that island. This statue was 105 feet high, and was one of the seven wonders of the world; it was set up in 303 B.c, but was overthrown by an earthquake sixty years later and never re-erected. We have no information as to its appearance, except that it represented Helios, the Sun-god, who was the especial patron of the city, but we can be certain that it did not bestride the harbour holding a lantern! Pliny tells us that there were a hundred more Colossi in Rhodes alone. The island reached a great height of prosperity in the Hellenistic period, and doubtless attracted sculptors from all parts. The list of names...show more